California American Viticultural Area's

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List of Wineries in Shenandoah Valley, California Viticultural Area

To avoid confusion the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms that monitors the Viticultural areas of the United States officially named this region the California Shenandoah Valley Viticultural Area to distinguish it from the region with the same name in Virginia. Created in January 1983, this region covers 13,652 acres, has an average elevation of 1800 feet, over 2,000 acres of vineyards and is home to 26 bonded wineries. The Zinfandel grape is king here, but Italian and Rhone varietals are making a name for themselves here as well. The California Shenandoah Valley is primarily located within Amador County, but one edge crosses into neighboring El Dorado County.

Amador Cellars - Plymouth, California

The WineryThis is truly a unique winery made from rice straw bales housed in concrete. The walls are 2 feet thick, and not only give the winery an old world charm, but also contribute to keeping the winery at a consistent temperature. The facility is located amidst the vineyards and offers lovely local views from the patio tables. The tasting room is small and cozy, located in the winery itself, and sells...

The WinemakerLarry Long is the owner and winemaker at Amador Cellars. He and wife Linda started as home winemakers and now share the numerous winery duties.

The WineryThe estate is located at the 1700-foot elevation directly across from Deaver Vineyards in the California Shenandoah Valley AVA. The tasting room is small with a beautiful hilltop location and lovely local vineyard views, as well as impressive views of the Sierras in the distance. This is the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic lunch to accompany an excellent, food friendly, Amador Foothill...

The WinemakerKatie Quinn, co-owner of the winery, received a degree in chemistry from Sonoma State University, and her graduate degree in enology from the University of California, Davis. Prior to Amador Foothill Winery, Katie worked at Gundlach Bundschu located in the Sonoma Valley.

The WineryBantam Cellars is one of the youngest wineries in the Shenandoah Valley AVA, but one of the founders is certainly not new to the region. Garth Cobb is the son of Karly Wines owners, Karly and Buck Cobb. Bantam got its unusual name from one of the owner’s passion for raising Bantam chickens and roosters. The tasting room is beautifully done in oak that covers the walls and the tasting bar.

The WinemakerGarth Cobb is the winemaker at both Bantam Cellars and Karly Wines. He grew up in the Shenandoah Valley area and went on to graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles.

The WineryBella Piazza is a very modern, upscale winery, done in the Italian Villa style. Created by owners Erika and Jerry Wright, it is the sister winery of Villa Toscano, also located in the Shenandoah Valley AVA. The tasting room has a definite European flare, with lots of light colored wood and European style tile floors. There is a collection of upscale art and household goods for sale at the winery...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Bella Piazza and Villa Toscano is George Bursick. Mr. Bursick has a master's degree in Enology from University of California, Davis. Prior to coming to Villa Toscano and Bella Piazza he worked at Ferrari-Caranno.

The WineryBray Vineyards is located on 50 acres of decomposed granite and rocky soils. The tasting room is done in a rustic wood style, with barrels as table bases. The winery was built to exist in concert with the environment, and great care was taken to preserve the beautiful old oaks that dot the property.

The WinemakerJohn Hoddy started his working career as a banker, but soon discovered a passion for home winemaking, which lead him to take classes at the University of California, Davis. He has been the winemaker at Bray Vineyards since 2004.

The WineryThe tasting room is located on beautiful park-like grounds studded with giant oaks. A creek flows through the picnic area through several waterfalls and a pond stocked with koi. The tasting room is done in a fun retro style and is the former site of both Kelson Creek and the Sonora Winery and Port Works tasting rooms.

The WinemakerChaim Gur-Arieh and his wife Elisheva are the co-owners of the C.G. di Arie Vineyard, with Chaim being the primary winemaker. Chaim is an inventor and scientist by trade and before becoming a winemaker was best known for the invention of Captain Crunch cereal and Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.

The WineryThe tasting room of the Charles Spinetta Winery is beautifully done in warm woodsy colors and doubles as an art gallery for many very talented California artists. There is a very picturesque picnic area next to the winery, with plenty of inviting tables to spend time enjoying your purchases with a little food.

The WinemakerThe Spinetta family has been a part of the Foothill agricultural scene for generations. Charles’ grandfather produced wines east of Jackson, in Amador County, during gold rush up until prohibition. The winemaker at the estate is Adam De Lange.

The WineryCooper Vineyards is done in a Mediterranean style, with a very inviting patio that wraps around the front and side of the facility. The views of the local vineyards, and relaxing atmosphere, make this a great spot to take in the Shenandoah Valley atmosphere.

The WinemakerThe Coopers produce their wines with help from winemaker Michael Roser. Mr. Roser trained with locally famous Rich Gilpin of Lavender Ridge in Calaveras County.

The WineryThe Deaver facility is set amongst the beautiful oak woodlands of Amador County. The tasting room itself is housed in a building reminiscent of an old Dutch Barn, with a country inn on site for those who would like to make it more than just a day trip. Across the parking lot from the tasting room is a picturesque old barn next to a small pond, with a couple of inviting picnic tables.

The WinemakerWinemaking has been a part of the Deaver Family for over 100 years in Amador County, and grape growing even longer. The family decided to begin producing wines again in the 1980s, and the current winemaker Ken Deaver is producing some of the areas nicest old vine Zins.

The WineryTom Dillian’s family has been a part of the Amador County community for four generations and the winery estate has been in the family since 1917. The tasting room is small, but very modern on the inside, decorated completely in black and white. The exterior is modeled after the early 1900s farm home that was originally on the site.

The WinemakerTom Dillian’s family is part of the D’Agostini Amador County wine dynasty. He learned winery and vineyard management at the family winery, and worked as a vineyard manager for numerous local growers. After managing several local vineyards, and years of home winemaking, in 2003 Tom decided to start his own winery.

The WineryDobra Zemlja is Croatian for ‘Good Earth’, and that theme certainly holds true with this beautiful site. The winery is located off the main road on extensively landscaped grounds. There is a picnic area under towering trees with views of the nearby pond and vineyards beyond. Tasting is done in the hand-made wine cave found under the historic restored barn that dates to the 1800s.

The WinemakerMilan Matulich, the winemaker at Dobra Zemlja, brings his eastern European heritage to his wine style. He makes wines that are meant to be the heart of every family celebration.

The WineryLocated directly on the wine trail in the Shenandoah Valley of California is an exciting new tasting room for Jeff Runquist Wines. The facility is invitingly done with its high ceilings and large windows, making the room open and airy with pleasant views of the nearby vineyards. Windows into the adjacent barrel room enhances the overall atmosphere. Although the tasting room may be recently...

The WinemakerJeff Runquist has had many years of experience making wines with the grapes of Amador County. He worked for Montevina before moving on to the Napa Valley Cooperative Winery in St. Helena and then J. Lohr winery in Paso Robles. He created his own brand in 1996. In addition to running his own winery operation, Jeff works with McMannis Family Vineyards in Ripon...

The WineryKarly winery is a short distance off the main road, set in a lovely setting surrounded by vineyards and great local views. The tasting room is small, rustic, and inviting. They have a number of theme baskets for sale and often offer cheese to pair with their wines, making the tasting experience that much more complete.

The WinemakerBuck Cobb was an Air Force jet fighter pilot and later a nuclear engineer who moved to Amador with his wife Karly to retire. It wasn’t long before he discovered the allure of Amador County Zins and became a committed winemaker. His son, Garth, has recently assumed winemaking duties at the winery.

The WineryThe Karmere tasting room is located amongst the rolling vineyard land of the Shenandoah Valley, featuring wonderful local views. The tasting facility is large, with a warm European flare. The light woods, tile floors and beam ceilings make the room bright and inviting. In addition to wine, the tasting room has a number of upscale household items for sale.

The WinemakerRyan Flock is the winemaker at Karmere. Prior to this position he was at Rosenblum Cellars in Alameda, California.

The WineryMontevina has a long history in Amador County, as it was the first new winery opened in the area after the repeal of prohibition. Cary and Vicki Gott, as well as W.H. Fields, founded the winery in 1973 with Cary Gott acting as the original winemaker. In 1982 the Gotts left Montevina, and W.H. Fields operated the winery until 1987 with Jeff Myers as winemaker. In that year the winery was sold to...

The WinemakerMontevina has two premier winemakers, the first is Jeff Myers who has a degree in Enology from UC Davis and has been with Montevina since1982. The second is Chris Leamy who has a degree in biological sciences from UC Davis, and joined Montevina in 2000.

The WineryThe estate is built on the site of pre-prohibition Peroni Winery, which specialized in Zinfandel and Mission wines. As the wine and grape business slowed, unfortunately the Peroni’s pulled out some of the old vineyards and planted them to walnut trees. Pam and Jerry Notestine purchased the estate in the late 1980’s. The winery has a very attractive picnic area with an unusual fountain, styled...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Nine Gables is owner and founder, Jerry Notestine. He produces wines in small, hand made batches that spend 18 months in Oak before being bottled.

The WineryRenwood was founded in 1993, and in 1994 added Santino Winery to the estate. The winery continues to produce wines under both labels. The tasting room, done in a Spanish Mission style, is very large with several different rooms to accommodate multiple parties for tasting. The room that houses the tasting bar is decorated to look like an Old West saloon with a redwood bar. There is a wonderful...

The WinemakerDave Crippen, originally from Covey Run in Washington State, is the managing winemaker at the Renwood estate. Even though the winery produces in excess of 100,000 cases of wine a year, the select vineyard Amador Zinfandels are still handcrafted.

The WineryLeon and Shirley Sobon purchased the 74-acre Steiner Ranch in 1977. They converted the ranch to a winery, with its main facility sitting atop a hill overlooking the pastoral Shenandoah Valley. The tasting room is located in a wonderful old stone building that was converted from a masonry garage structure found on the original estate. The walls of the tasting room are covered with incredible...

The WinemakerLeon Sobon was a research scientist at Lockheed research lab, and a hobby winemaker, when he and his wife Shirley decided to leave the Silicon Valley of California and take up winemaking as a career and lifestyle. It was Leon’s love of the Zinfandel grape that drove them to the Shenandoah Valley. Their son, Paul, today assists his father as winemaker at the...

The WineryThe Sobon Estate started life as Uhlinger Winery in 1856. It was purchased by Enrico D’Agostini in 1911, and remained in that family until 1989 when Leon and Shirley Sobon of Shenandoah Vineyards purchased the winery as a 30th anniversary gift to each other. They reopened the winery in 1990 under its new name Sobon. The tasting room area now contains a museum that celebrates winemaking and...

The WinemakerLeon Sobon was a research scientist at Lockheed research lab, and a hobby winemaker when he and his wife Shirley decided to leave the Silicon Valley of California and take up winemaking as a career and lifestyle. It was Leon’s love of the Zinfandel grape that drove them to the Shenandoah Valley. Their son, Paul, assists his father as winemaker at the two...

The WineryThe Stonehouse winery and tasting room is a large, modern facility that showcases a Thomas Kincade Gallery in addition to the estate wines. The facility also includes overnight accommodations at their Stonehouse Inn, and there are plans for a Thomas Kincade style wedding chapel in the near future. On the patio outside the tasting room are located several patio tables to accommodate a picnic...

The WinemakerMitchell B. Shultz is a man of many talents. He was a corporate pilot for Jeff Jackson, of Kendall Jackson, from whom he first heard of the Sierra Foothills’ potential for producing great red wine grapes. He and his wife also operated a bakery and wine bar in Sonoma County prior to coming to Amador, which they sold when they purchased the estate.

The WineryThe Tasting room for Story Vineyards is located on a hilltop overlooking the Cosumnes River Canyon. The tasting room is small, but beautifully done, and carries several wine related gifts for sale. The winery was opened in 1973 by Eugene Story, and was later sold to the current owners, Bruce and Jan Tichenor, in 1992. The views from the tasting room picnic area are breathtaking, and it is well...

The WinemakerBruce and Jan Tichenor both are retired pharmacists from Bay Area. They decided to live their dream of winemaking and purchased the Story Winery and vineyards in 1992.

The WineryThe tasting room is done in an French Provencal farmhouse style, featuring a lot of wood as well as tile floors. In addition to the wines, there are a number of upscale gift items and household goods for sale. Next to the tasting room is a large, shady lawn area with tables, perfect for a picnic lunch. The Winery name Terre Rouge (meaning red earth) is derived from the prevalent red soils found...

The WinemakerThe winemaker for both labels is Bill Easton. He spent 30 years in all phases of the wine industry, and in 1985 established the winery. In 1994 Mr. Easton moved the winery to its present location on Dickson Road.

The WineryHarold and Monica Nuffer purchased the Amador County property in 1978. The vineyards and a winery followed soon after and were finished in 1981. The winery name is the first initial of each of their daughter’s first names. The tasting room and winery is a small building with lovely local views of oaks and vineyards.

The WinemakerHarold Nuffer was a rocket scientist who found he had a love for making wine, and made homemade reds for years prior to creating TKC in 1981. At the time, he was still working in the China Lake facility, located in the southeastern California desert and commuting to Amador County to run the winery.

The WineryThis is the sister winery to Bella Piazza. It has a Lavish Tuscan Wine Villa style complete with outdoor sculptures and gorgeous koi ponds. The winery is done in beautiful light colored woods and European tile floors. The tasting room has an extensive gift shop where they sell upscale household items and art. There is a bistro across the courtyard from the winery that sells salads and...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Villa Toscano, and Bella Piazza, is George Bursick. Mr. Bursick has a master's degree in Enology from the University of California, Davis. Prior to coming to Villa Toscano and Bella Piazza, he worked at Ferrari-Caranno in Sonoma.

The WineryVino Noceto is set amidst the estate’s Sangiovese vineyards, dotted with beautiful old oak trees. The tasting room is in a barn style building and has heavy timber ceilings, rustic wood walls, and a tasting bar set on top of old wine barrels. There are patio tables outside the tasting room, and picnic tables under a towering oak near the vineyards. Those of us who grew up in the Bay Area will...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Vino Noceto is Rusty Folena. Rusty came to the winery from Renwood Winery, just up the road, and is assisted at Vino Noceto by consulting winemaker Stacey Gregersen.

The WineryAfter 6 years of selling grapes to other wineries, Jay Wilderotter started making his own wine, but had no tasting room or distributors. Selling the wines strictly through family and friends, they quickly sold out, and Jay was able to open his own tasting room in 2005. A small but beautiful mission style building, Wilderotter is surrounded by 25 acres of vineyards. The winery also has patios...

The WinemakerJay Wilderotter was an Air Force Pilot who took night classes at the University of California, Davis, in enology. While stationed at a Sacramento Air Base, he found the property in Amador and purchased it for a vineyard site. After the family moved to Oakland, Jay traveled back and forth between the family home and the vineyard, working to plant the...

The WineryThe winery and tasting room are located in a large barn style building. The grounds that surround the winery are beautifully landscaped with a pond and a fantastically landscaped garden area that in winter has an inviting fire pit. The tasting room is invitingly done in rustic woods with modern art pieces hanging on the walls.

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Young’s is Stell Young. He performs not only the winemaking duties, but the vineyard management as well.